Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of automation engineers and enhance our testing frameworks.
- Company: Join Howdens, the UK's top trade kitchen supplier with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private medical insurance, and 25 days holiday.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-quality digital releases in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in test automation and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a rewarding organisation recognised for workplace excellence.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Howdens are looking for an experienced Test Automation Lead to join our growing core systems. This role you will lead a team of automation specialists, develop our automation tooling and help drive faster, higher quality releases across our digital platforms. This is a permanent full-time opportunity. Based at one of our corporate sites including Raunds Northamptonshire, Brackmills Business Park Northampton, Howden Yorkshire or Croxley Park Watford, you will be expected to travel and work onsite 4 days per week.
What you will do:
- Lead, coach and develop a team of automation engineers
- Own and improve automation frameworks and tooling including Tosca, Selenium, Ranorex and Robot Framework
- Increase automation coverage to support frequent website releases
- Oversee design, build and maintenance of automation scripts
- Drive best practice, continuous improvement and platform roadmaps
- Partner with stakeholders across IT and the business
- Manage vendor relationships and ensure systems remain secure and effective
What we are looking for:
- Extensive experience of developing and managing automation tools and test engineers to support frequent high quality releases to public facing websites in large organisations.
- Hands on experience in managing enterprise test automation solutions in a multi-site environment
- Proven track record of leading teams in delivering high-quality test automation solutions and enhancements and upgrades
- Strong understanding of modern system development and support best practices
- Familiarity with ITIL service management processes
- Effective communicator able to translate technical detail when communicated with stakeholders
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, develop and retain technical talent
- Analytical and problem-solving mindset with a focus on performance optimisation and continuous improvement
- Collaborative approach, working effectively across business, technical and vendor teams
- Ability to balance strategic platform development with day-to-day operational needs
What we offer:
- Competitive salary and annual company bonus
- Private medical insurance
- Excellent pension scheme (company contribution of up to 12%)
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional days
- Free lunch at our onsite canteen (Howden site only)
- Staff Discount
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Exceptional Reward and Recognition events
About Howdens:
Howdens Joinery is the UKs number one trade kitchen supplier providing thousands of products across kitchens, joinery and hardware. We have over 900 depots throughout the UK and Europe, making us the first choice for more than 460000 loyal trade; year our sales reached circa 2.3bn and we have an ambitious growth agenda.
As well as the opportunity to develop within a fast paced and commercial environment you will be part of a rewarding organisation recognised for excellence in the workplace in the Best Big Companies to Work For.
How to apply:
We’re building a future where world-class service, innovation and sustainability are embedded within our DNA. If Howdens sounds like the kind of place where you can build and develop your career, then we’re keen to hear from you.
Howdens is founded on the principle of being Worthwhile for ALL concerned. We’re working hard to ensure we provide an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome. We will do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process please email with the job title and location and we will be happy to help you.
Test Automation Lead employer: Howdens Joinery Co.
Contact Detail:
Howdens Joinery Co. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Test Automation Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to test automation. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online resources to get comfortable with articulating your experience and skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio of your past projects, especially those involving automation tools like Selenium or Tosca. This will give potential employers a tangible sense of your capabilities and achievements.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Test Automation Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Test Automation Lead role. Highlight your experience with automation tools like Tosca, Selenium, and Ranorex, and showcase any leadership roles you've had in the past.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about automation and how your skills align with Howdens' goals. Don't forget to mention your collaborative approach and problem-solving mindset.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements. Did you increase automation coverage or improve release quality? Quantify your successes to make a stronger impact!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Howdens Joinery Co.
✨Know Your Tools Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the automation tools mentioned in the job description, like Tosca, Selenium, and Ranorex. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these tools and how you've used them to improve automation frameworks in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Test Automation Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and develop a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully coached team members or managed vendor relationships, and be ready to discuss your approach to motivating and retaining technical talent.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since effective communication is key, practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. Think about how you would convey automation strategies to non-technical stakeholders and be prepared to share examples of successful collaborations across teams.
✨Focus on Continuous Improvement
Be ready to discuss your mindset around performance optimisation and continuous improvement. Share specific instances where you've driven best practices or improved automation coverage, and how that contributed to faster, higher-quality releases.
